Per Joar Hansen saw no reason to make excuses, following the major defeat against Arsenal: “We cannot perform like this on such a high level. We basically get dressed down.”


RBK were defenseless against the English premier league winners, who needed a win in order to advance to the knockout stages of the Champion’s League. The first goal against RBK came after only three minutes of play.

“The game was broken early in the first half. They easily managed to rush through to make 1-0 and our midfield only have themselves to blame for the 2-0 goal. From then on the situation escalated,” Perry stated to Scandinavian TV channel TV3.

Hansen blames individual mistakes for most of the 1-5 defeat.

“When we make mistakes against quality sides like Arsenal today, we get punished. We’re consistently giving away the ball on our own half of the pitch and Arsenal is allowed to counter again and again,” the RBK coach states.

Chief of defense, Hoftun, can only agree.

“Too many mistakes are made, especially when advancing. That makes it difficult,” he says.

The team captain was the man behind Rosenborgs only consolation goal that evening; his first goal in 60 Champion’s League matches, but following the end of the match, the defensive problems were the only thing on the defense veteran’s mind.

“We’ve been poor defensively for large parts of this autumn. This cannot continue, if we are to remain a force in the domestic league and perform well in Champion’s League,” Erik Hoftun states.

Per Joar Hansen knows full well what needs to be done before the start of season against Aalesund in April.

“We’ll just have to go home and practice defense. We must improve, both in one-on-one situations as well as collectively,” says the northerner, who ends the 2004 season with the following:

“We’ll be back!”